A review by julis
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling

challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

If you don’t already have a fear of cave diving don’t read this.
I’m not a big horror person, and this is on the sci-fi side of horror anyway, but holy shit. Nabbed it from Jo, who told me how much Gyre and Em’s dynamic is Gideon & Harrow (which, yes) and would add that it’s also Csorwe & Shuthmili from The Unspoken Name. If that helps.
Tight, tight writing, hellishly plotted, flawless–but 25 pages too short. I would not change a thing about the ending except to add 25 pages; some emotional resolutions were rushed.